The writer Adham Al-Dimashqi launched the initiative "Anbar and Godot Garden" in the Geitawi area of Beirut after the port explosion on August 4, 2020. Adham transformed his damaged home into a cultural space now known as "Anbar," creating a space for art and cultural exchange.
This initiative is based on organizing an annual festival that combines poetry, music, and theater, alongside workshops, art therapy sessions, and discussions about artificial intelligence and the arts, aiming to create a dialogue between humans and art as a tool for healing and expression.
Speaking about the project, Adham believes that art is not a luxury but a basic need, especially in a city like Beirut that lives on the edge of pain. He wanted "Anbar" to be a safe and open place for anyone seeking a space to express, reflect, and share their experience.
Part of the initiative is "Godot Garden," an artistic space named after his dog Godot, who was with him on the day of the explosion. The garden is inspired by Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot, reflecting the symbolism of waiting, longing, and hope despite destruction.
The space of "Anbar and Godot Garden" forms a living model of transforming trauma into creative action, a personal experience turned into a collective project that embraces the city and gives people a space for belonging and expression.